Academics Overview

In October 2018, Saints Peter and Paul was named a 2018 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Principal Margaret Egan was honored with the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership.

Saints Peter and Paul School has developed a rich tradition embedded with the Catholic faith, a tradition that is conveyed in all aspects of the students’ academic life. As a Catholic school, we provide an education rooted in Gospel values. The expression of these values is lived every day at Saints Peter and Paul School and they help our children achieve their full potential, both intellectually and spiritually. A graduate of Saints Peter and Paul School is equipped for a successful future based on a solid foundation of service, education, leadership and faith. Saints Peter and Paul School is a vibrant community of faith and learning where our students are truly alive in Christ.

Curriculum: Saints Peter and Paul School offers academic excellence in a nurturing and Christ-centered environment. Our dedicated faculty integrates the curriculum with 21st-century technology to promote digital literacy and to prepare students for our changing society. In addition to a comprehensive curriculum, students participate in weekly art, music, library, technology instruction, and physical education. Our school follows academic guidelines prescribed by the Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Visit http://www.aopcatholicschools.org/elementary-schools/curriculum/ for specific curriculum information.

Saints Peter and Paul School is proud to share the results of the 2018 Terra Nova Testing Scores. Terra Nova is the standardized test which our students are required to take each Spring. The results provide information that is used to determine national norms and help schools identify areas of strengths as well as weaknesses. While schools do not receive specific rankings, the results indicate schools that achieve scores that are “above the cut”. The cut number is the percentile that indicates a score in the top 15% of schools in the nation. It was no surprise that Saints Peter and Paul School was “above the cut” in both reading and math!

Reading

Grade

TN Cut Score

SSPP Score

3

65

83

4

69

77

5

67

81

6

71

81

7

69

86

8

73

88

Math

Grade

TN Cut Score

SSPP Score

3

69

89

4

67

90

5

69

88

6

66

87

7

70

96

8

72

91

Homework: The value of homework depends upon the student’s interest in continuing his/her learning experience. The student gains values when he/she understands these concepts:

Homework has a definite function in enriching and extending what the student has learned in class.

It is a preparation for sharing with others something the student has discovered, read, or created.

It is practice to improve basic skills.

Parents have the responsibility to provide a scheduled time and a quiet place conducive to study, to exhibit a real interest in their child’s accomplishments. The recommended time allotment for assignments suggested by the Office of Catholic Education is:

Grades 1 & 2 20-30 minutes

Grades 3 & 4 40-60 minutes

Grades 5 & 6 60-90 minutes

Grades 7 & 8 80-120 minutes

Homework is not just written assignments. Reading and study assignments are just as important. Weekends and holidays are usually free of written assignments for students grades 1-5. All assignments are written in a notebook or distributed on a homework sheet each day. Parents are required to sign all homework each night. Failure to complete assignments are incorporated into the subjects’ mark at the end of each report period. Repeated missing homework will result in parent conference and referred to the administration.

When a student is absent, homework will be assigned as make-up work following the student’s return to class. Appropriate time will be given before the make-up work is due for completion.

Kindergarten is a five day, full day program. While activities change based on seasons, celebrations and other events, below is a tentative outline of daily activities:

8:00am–Arrival/unpack/morning announcements and prayer

8:30am–Fundations (Phonics Reading Program)

9:00am– Religion

9:30am–English Language Arts

10:00am–mid-morning snack and recess

10:30am–English Language Arts

11:00am–Math

11:30am– Lunch and Recess (outdoor weather permitting)

12:30pm–Storytime/restrooms

1:00pm–Rest (quiet time for reading, listening to music, mindfulness exercises)

1:30pm–Science and Social Studies/Centers/Enrichment

2:30pm–Review day/Prepare for dismissal

2:45pm–Dismissal

*Kindergarten children also have regular specials once a week: Library, Technology, Music, Art, Gym